Baby panthers to make public debut at Palm Beach Zoo

Two 7-month-old baby panthers will make their public debut at the Palm Beach Zoo Friday.

The kittens came to the zoo from a special program run by the Oregon Zoo. They will be celebrated during a Safari Night event from 6 to 9 p.m. at the zoo at 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach.

Each panther was orphaned when their mothers were euthanized after coming too close to homes. One kitten is from Idaho, the other is from Washington. They were both discovered after their mothers were killed.

In each case, littermates did not survive after their mothers' deaths.

Previously, the zoo exhibited a Florida panther named Colin Patrick. The animal died in March after being at the zoo for 17 years.

Although not from Florida, zoo officials hope the pair will help raise awareness about the endangered panther's plight.